Improvement in bridle-bits for horses



J. R. BELLINGER, L. .M. BOL'LES & W. J. FRYER, Jr.

'BRIDLE BITS FOR HORSES. 'No.169,4O3. Patented Nov. 2, 187.5.

mam/5,56,5-

%du;r%. f m

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

JAMES R. BELLINGER, 'LUZERNE M. BOLLES, AND WILLIAM J. FRYER, JR., OFNEW YORK, N. Y.; SAID BELLINGEB ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES L.

FRYER, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BRlDLE-BITS FOR'HORSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 69,403, datedNovember 2.1875 application filed October 25, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that we, JAMES R. BELLINGER, L. M. BOLLES, and WILLIAM J.FRYER, Jr.,-

all of the city of New York, in the county A is the cheek-bar or sidepurchase, of any .ordinary shape. B is the mouth-bar, made straight atits point of intersection with the cheek-bar, and arching in the center,(to pass over the horses tongue,) with a concavity on the inner side. 0is a perforated metal roofplate, attached to the convex side of theconcave and arched mouth-bar. The shapes all conform nearly to thenatural lines of a horses mouth. 'The shape of the mouth-bar is to giveroom for the working of the horsess tongue, and at the same time makinguse of his tongue to hold the bit centrally in his mouth, while thestraight part between the cheek-bar and the arching center makes the bitfit sung in the corners of the mouth. All

side play is prevented; the roof-plate is steady,

without wabbling or rubbing. Altogether, it is so easy and natural inits adaptation to the shape of the horses mounth that he enjoys thefreedom given to his tongue, and scarcely realizes that anything is inhis mouth till a taut rein is drawn. By perforating the metal roof-plateit oii'ers less resistance to the airpassage and to the nioisture on theroof of the mouth, and lessensthe weight of the plate.

' The plate can also be corrugated or grooved,

or may be made an open web. When the driving-lines are hooked into thelower ring, and a taut "rein pulled, a leverage power is exerted on theplate, and it presses on the roof of the horses month, which pressure,in connection with the pull in the corners of his mouth, compels thehorse to obey the will of his driver. The plate extends high up in themouth, and while it presses firmly it presses .without pain, covering alarger area in comparison with a Mexican bit and its short tongue, (sayan inch and a half,) or a Spanish bit with its longer (say four inches)tongue, and the cruel power these both exert on a horses mouth.

With this bit the horse breathes easier, and can, therefore, be drivenfarther and faster than with the common bit. It is any easy bit fortender-mouthed horses, and a perfectly safe one for vicious horses. Itwill prevent running away, pulling, tongue-lolling, or drivmg on onerein.

This bit can be used with a nose-band, or with a chain under thelowerjaw, or with any of the devices applicable to the ordinary make ofbits. It also may be attached to an ordinary make of bit, being looselyattached on the mouth-bar, and the lines fastened to an inside cheek-barconnected to the tongue-piece.

We are aware that tongue-pieces pressing on the roof of the horses monthhave been used, and are not new, as instanced in the Mexican and in theSpanish bits before referred to. We do not claim it. The distinctivefeature of our invention is the peculiarshaped mouth-bar and theperforated roofplate attached to the same.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

A bridle bit having its mouth bar made straight at its point ofintersection with the cheek-bar, and arched and concaved in the center,to accommodate itself to the tongue of the horse, in combination with aperforated roof-plate, 0, made concave to correspond to the shape of thetongue, and convex to bear against the roof of the horses mouth,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

JAS. R. BELLINGER. LUZERNE M. BOLLES. WM. J. FRYER, JR.

Witnesses:

HARDESTY DE S. JOHNSON, JAMES GosBY.

